Best probiotic supplements in the UK for a healthy digestive system

With each passing day bringing us news of some new health concern we’ve got to worry about, a food item we should no longer be eating or a brand new supplement we simply must be adding to our diets, it’s easy to become completely overwhelmed and fatigued by all things health.

It often seems that the more we try to look after ourselves, the harder it gets. It’s enough to make you want to give up the whole shebang entirely and just order another pizza.

But gut health is actually a real concern and one that shouldn’t just be on our minds the day after a night out.

There’s plenty of research that shows the gut is actually the ‘second brain’ - so called because of its connection to our thoughts, feelings and actions.

From following our ‘gut instinct’ to ‘feeling butterflies’ when we’re nervous, our gut can tell us a lot about what’s going on in our heads, so if we don’t look after it, it stands to reason that we’re not looking after our minds properly, either.

A healthy gut equals a healthy mind, so ensuring yours has all the nutrition it needs is of paramount importance.

Probiotics play a massive part in this. Our gut is made up of over 500 species of flora, all of which, when in balance, contribute to a healthy digestive system, metabolism and hormonal health. These flora act as a kind of barrier against any harmful bacteria that may enter and probiotics (also known as good bacteria) help them do this by keeping everything ticking over nicely.

These are the best probiotics to buy now to keep your gut feeling healthy and happy but as with any supplements, speak to a medical professional first if you’re unsure what to take.

Before we dive into the supplement suggestions, we consulted Dr. Roshini Raj, board-certified practicing gastroenterologist and founder of TULA Skincare to find out everything we need to know about probiotics.

What are probiotics?

“Probiotic extracts are a true breakthrough innovation in skin care and wellness, recognised for their clinically proven ability to soothe and calm skin inflammation, nourish skin and balance the microbiome.

“Microbiome refers to the set of organisms that are contained in microscopic bacterial ecosystems known as microbiota. These microbial organisms affect nearly every human bodily process. Aging, digestion, the immune system, mood, cognitive function and the skin. I have been studying probiotics and the gut/skin microbiome for over 20 years and there’s still so much more to learn!”

What are probiotics good for and do probiotic supplements work?

“Probiotics are a powerful, clinically effective addition to any routine. People with all skin types (sensitive, dry, oily or acne prone) are likely to see improvements in their complexions by introducing probiotics (either topically or ingesting - ideally both!) into their wellness routine. Ingesting probiotics, either by consuming probiotic-rich foods or taking probiotic supplements, can help improve digestive balance and calm inflammation to improve skin issues and overall health and wellness from the inside-out.”

Best probiotic supplements at a glance

• Best supplement for gut healing: Floratrex, £67.50, Amazon

• Best active bacteria supplement: Symprove Live & Active Bacteria Mango & Passion Fruit Flavour Drink, £79, Symprove UK

• Best subscription service probiotic: Feel Beauty Probiotic+, £17.95, Feel Beauty

• Best all-round supplement: Willy’s ACV Apple Cider Vinegar with The Mother, £7.03, Amazon

• Best delayed release supplement: Physis Advanced Probiotics, £19.99, Amazon

• Best full spectrum supplement: Swiss BioEnergetics Full Spectrum Probiotic Defence, £16.97, Amazon

• Best gut-sensitive supplement: Megafood MegaFlora, £37.23, E Vitamins

• Best child-friendly supplement: Bio-Kult Advanced Multi-Strain Formula Probiotics, £25.52, Amazon

• Best supplement for acne prone skin: Bioglan Biotic Balance Ultimate Flora, £20.99, Holland and Barrett

• Best supplement for eczema prone skin: Inessa Advanced Daily Biotic, £17.99 Amazon

• Best supplement to aid digestion: HUM Nutrition Skin Squad Pre+Probiotic Clear Skin Supplement, £44, Cult Beauty

• Best supplement to help combat IBS: The Nue Co. Prebiotic + Probiotic, £45, Cult Beauty

Best probiotics for gut health, IBS and skin

Floratrex

Best probiotic supplement for: gut healing

Containing 23 probiotic strains and 50 billion live CFU in every capsule, this supplement is the chief of all supplements - the one to take when you need to pull in the big guns to get your gut health in order.

Formulated by a Dr Edward F Group who was tired of having to take several supplements to get all the probiotic benefits he wanted, Floratrex contains ingredients such as lactobacillus acidophilus to help boost the immune system and reduce lactose intolerance was well as lactobacillus gasseri to help normalise cholesterol and support heart health.

Adults are encouraged to take two capsules a day whilst children are advised to take one a couple of times a week mixed into food or drink (as always, check with your doctor first, though!). Unlike many other capsules, these use organic gum acacia instead of toxic binding and filling agents, meaning the bacteria is truly allowed to thrive without annoying capsule contaminants getting in the way.

Buy now £67.50, Amazon

Symprove Live & Active Bacteria Mango & Passion Fruit Flavour Drink

Best probiotic supplement for: active bacteria

Symprove has become one of the most widely known and most renowned supplements that delivers live, active multi-strain bacteria to the gut. It does this through a unique delivery system in a water-based formulation that encourages better absorption and protects it from gastric juices. Take each morning to balance out the gut and counteract some of the side effects of IBS and upset stomachs. The mango and passion fruit taste helps to to create the healthy habit by adding a flavoursome twist. For best results, use for 12 weeks.

Buy now £79.00, Symprove

Feel Beauty Probiotic+

Best probiotic supplement for: subscription service

Subscription-free supplement service and label Feel has packed gut-loving probiotics aplenty into its tablet daily dietary add-on - three different strains to be precise.

It is designed to give you healthy hair, skin and nails from the outside-in with ingredients you may recognise from your beauty cabinet. Hydration hero hyaluronic acid as well as Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, Lactobacillus Plantarum and Lactobacillus Acidophilus contribute the functioning of your digestion, heart and leave you with soothed skin.

The tablets are formulated with gastro-resistant delayed release technology so it gets to where you need without being disintegrated by the body. There is also some suggestion that it helps with menopausal discomfort.

Buy now £17.95, Feel

Willy's ACV Apple Cider Vinegar with The Mother

Best probiotic supplement for: all-round

You’ve probably heard about the benefits of drinking apple cider vinegar for years but may have written it off as just another celebrity friend. In actual fact, it boasts a number of health benefits, particularly when taken in an organic, unfiltered form, such as Willys. This recipe contains mother - a culture of friendly bacteria, proteins and enzymes that promotes gut health and helps to kill off any unwanted bacteria. Made using apples from a 300-year-old orchard. Willys is never treated with heat, meaning as many bacteria as possible are preserved.

A known and trusted health booster for thousands of years, apple cider vinegar can lower blood sugar and cholesterol, help target stubborn fat and improve heart health. Drink with hot water, add to salads or mix into smoothies or put those partying skills to good use and shot it neat. Don’t be put off by its murky appearance - it’s meant to look like that.

Buy now £7.03, Amazon

Physis Advanced Probiotics

Best probiotic supplement for: delayed release

Coming in capsule form, these probiotics are an excellent choice for those suffering with minor gut irritations. Containing 50 billion CFU (that’s Colony Forming Units - the fancy name for bacteria) in each dose, it’s quite a strong strain so best avoided if you’re in perfect gut health.

These are contained within delayed release capsules - meaning you can take them before or after meals - and are dairy, peanut and gluten free. There are ten strains of bacteria included as well as an advanced multivitamin. Including 30 capsules, this bottle will last for a month (you’re advised to take one a day) and is best kept in the fridge to ensure the survival of the live bacteria.

Buy now £19.99, Amazon

Swiss BioEnergetics Full Spectrum Probiotic Defence

Best probiotic supplement for: full spectrum

Contained inside DRCaps capsules, the bacteria in this probiotic are particularly hardy; able to withstand the acids in the stomach long enough to reach the intestines - where they’re really needed - intact.

Free from artificial ingredients and suitable for vegans, they contain 10 billion CFU so are digestive and immune system boosting. They’ve also been proven to help relieve Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms and to galvanize the gut after a round of antibiotics.

Containing 120 capsules, these should last between 6 to 12 weeks, depending on whether they’re taken once or twice a day (twice a day is recommended for those with gut issues) and come in a handy carton package that can be posted through the letter box and stored with ease.

Buy now £16.97, Amazon

Megafood MegaFlora

Best probiotic supplement for: gut-sensitivity

If you’ve recently had to undergo a round of antibiotics, your gut may be feeling extra-sensitive thanks to the drugs’ lack of discernment in which bacteria they kill. As such, turning to a probiotic to help restore your gut flora is an excellent way to get back on track.

MegaFlora is a particularly good choice for this. Containing 14 bacteria strains and 20 billion CFU per capsule, they offer a gentle but effective defense against bacteria depletion. Made with gluten and dairy-free capsules, they’re also suitable for vegans. Best of all, the capsules are smaller than most, so those who usually have trouble swallowing pills don’t need to worry.

Buy now £35.33, evitamins

Bio-Kult Advanced Multi-Strain Formula Probiotics

Best probiotic supplement for: child-friendly

Containing fourteen bacteria strains and 10 billion CFU per gram, these Bio-Kult capsules are particularly effective at promoting gut health. Contained within a capsule, these can be taken by both children and pregnant women (although a doctor should always be consulted beforehand) and are safe to be taken long-term.

These are a particularly good choice for those who hate swallowing large pills as the capsules can be broken apart and the contents sprinkled into food or drink. Suitable for vegetarians, you can take up to two capsules a day and a single packet contains 120.

Buy now £25.46, Amazon

Bioglan Biotic Balance Ultimate Flora

Best probiotic supplement for: acne prone

Those suffering with acne or hormonal imbalances will probably find a supplement such as this Bioglan to be the most effective at helping tame the problem. Each capsule contains 5.8 billion CFU of lactobacillus acidophilus, which aside from helping boost the immune system is also known to help soothe the symptoms of a hormonal imbalance (which often manifests as irritated skin).

There are four bacteria strains in this brand overall and each of the 30 capsules contains 20 billion live cultures. The recommended dosage is one capsule a day and being free from gluten, wheat and soy, they’re a great option for those with coeliac disease.

Buy now £20.99, Holland & Barrett

Inessa Advanced Daily Biotic

Best probiotic supplement for: eczema prone

Coming in a rather suave looking bottle, these vegan capsules contain a whopping 10 billion CFU of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus - the probiotic strain that’s potentially beneficial at preventing eczema.

This has also been studied the most extensively and has shown evidence to colonise in the intestine - the area where bacteria is the most effective at fighting off imposters. Manufactured in the UK, these capsules have been designed with a delayed release, ensuring they can pass through the stomach without being harmed. You’ll get 60 capsules in a bottle, meaning they should last you for two months.

Buy now £17.99, Amazon

HUM Nutrition Skin Squad Pre+Probiotic Clear Skin Supplement

Best probiotic supplement for: aid digestion

The combination of pre and probiotics in HUM’s cult supplements are designed to balance the gut microbiome and encourage the growth of good bacterial for healthy digestion and a clear complexion. The formula is made up of naturally derived ingredients - including prebiotic konjac root - with a clinically proven quality. They are also vegan, free from artificial flavours, colourings and gluten.

Buy now £44.00, Cult Beauty

The Nue Co. Prebiotic + Probiotic

Best probiotic supplement for: helping combat IBS

This supplement from The Nue Co. contains 15 billion spores per dose that are ingested and help to combat the symptoms of IBS and digestive issues. The brand opts for spores over live actives that are cocooned to protect them through the stomach acid and so that they remain dormant until they reach the small intestine where they multiply, grow and get to work. In a double-blind placebo trial, they were shown to improve abdominal pain, gas, constipation, diarrhea and bloating. They also play a part in boosting immunity and promoting clearer skin.

Buy now £45.00, Cult Beauty

Verdict

If you’ve got some serious gut issues going on, it might be worth investing in Floratrex, which has the broadest range of culture strains on the list. If you’re already in great gut health, Inessa is a great choice and is backed up by robust research. If you’re already in decent gut health, Inessa is a great choice and is backed up by robust research.